Government of Pakistan PLANNING COMMISSION MINISTRY OF PLANNING DEVELOPMENT & REFORM DEVELOPMENT “International rating agencies are optimistic about Pakistan’s INSIGHT economic performance and are predicting the country will emerge as April, 2018 one of the fastest growing economies in the world Sartaj Aziz Deputy Chairman Planning Commission National Conference on Internal Security, Peace and Sustainable Development Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform and brought by western agencies, we as a nation have Ministry of Interior co-organized a One-day National to deal with several security threatening-issues Conference on Internal Security, Peace and such as gun culture and menace of Drugs. Sustainable Development at Pakistan Planning and Field Experts and Renowned scholars like Lt.Gen Management Institute, Islamabad. The aim of the (R) ,Nasir Janjua, National Security Advisor Ihsan conference was to highlight a comprehensive policy Ghani, Mohsin Butt, Tariq Pervaiz, Dr.Asma framework to deal with all key aspects of National Khwaja, Dr Ishtiaq Ahmed (NC NACTA), FasiZaka, Security. Khawar Mumtaz, Musharraf Zaidi, Dr Anees Federal Minister Prof. Ahsan Iqbal inaugurated the Ahmed, Mr Peter Jacob and Dr Jamil Ahmad were opening session by stating that Pakistan had been invited as speakers. The interactive Forum served facing security challenges for a long period of time as an eort to involve a wider set of stakeholders and this has its roots in the geo-strategy of the region. for understanding the global evolution of the Minister further maintained that along with the chaos concept regarding security and peace. www.pc.gov.pk find us DEVELOPMENT INSIGHT 2 Provinces to focus on their natural endowments for SEZs Development under CPEC: Ahsan Iqbal Prof. Ahsan Iqbal chaired a high level meeting to He termed it as the best opportunity to attract review progress on Special Economic Zones under foreign investment by ensuring relocation of Chinese CPEC. Secretary Planning, Mr. Shoaib Ahmad labour intensive industry that would maximize job Siddiqui, Secretary Board of Investment Mrs. opportunities for our youth. Minister highlighted that Samaira Nazir Siddiqui, Project Director CPEC, Mr. SEZs development needs to be fast tracked in view of Hassan Daud and oicials from provinces attended. the decisions agreed to the Council of Common Minister Ahsan Iqbal stated that all the provinces Interest (CCI). must focus on their natural endowments and Secretary Planning also elaborated that Chinese prepare bankable feasibility to attract foreign investors are keen to explore investment investors. Minister said that the main dividend of the opportunities in Pakistan and all the provinces need China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is SEZs to expedite preparations and procedures for early which would completely transform Pakistan’s implementation of SEZs development. industrial sector. Inauguration of Day Care Centre at Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform Federal Minister for Planning, Development and order to refine the working environment in the Reform, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal inaugurated a Day Care Ministry, the initiative held a major significance. The Centre at Ministry of Planning, Development and Day Care centre will provide long-lasting social and Reform. The initiative was taken to facilitate the economical benefits for working mothers and it will working mothers and increase their convenience. In increase their productivity. 3 DEVELOPMENT INSIGHT Minister Ahsan Iqbal Inaugurates Centre for Social Entrepreneurship The inaugural ceremony of Centre for Social Entrepreneurship (CFSE) was held at Pakistan Planning and Management Institute (PPMI). Minister of Planning Development and Reform Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, was the chief guest. The ceremony was attended by a group of dignitaries of Planning Commission, academia, government oicials, social entrepreneurs, media and students. Prof. Ahsan Iqbal congratulated the team of CFSE and stated that Centre for Social Entrepreneurship is key development agenda of present government and would be instrumented for providing network opportunities to social entrepreneurs to link their ideas with best practices of the world and get optimum benefit from them. He highlighted that the Centre for social entrepreneurship is an initiative that reflects the mission of Ministry of Planning Development and Reforms to manage Pakistan’s socio-economic development in strategic and sustainable manners. Central Development Working Party (CDWP) approves 34 projects worth Rs 365.492 Central Development Working Party (CDWP) approved 34 projects worth Rs 365.492 Billion out of which 5 projects worth Rs 333.179 were recommended to the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC). The Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Mr.Sartaj Aziz chaired the meeting. Senior oicials from federal and provincial governments participated in the meeting. The projects presented for approval related to Energy, Transport and Communications, Physical Planning and Housing, Science and Technology, Health, Commerce and Industry and Education. DEVELOPMENT INSIGHT 4 Federal Minister Prof. Ahsan Iqbal launches Jazba-e-Tameer Campaign A campaign on Jazba-e-Tameer was launched by the dierences and project ‘Rising Pakistan’ brand Ministry of Planning Development and Reform. In this collectively as a nation. campaign, all stakeholders of Pakistan, especially “The idea of ‘Rising Pakistan’ Campaign was to instil media was asked to join hands in Rising Pakistan positive energy among people of Pakistan so that we program. Minister Ahsan Iqbal while launching the can jointly celebrate our successes and address initiative of Jazba-e-Tameer, said that when it comes challenges ”said Minister Iqbal. to branding of Pakistan, everyone must set aside their Prof. Ahsan Iqbal witnesses the “China-Pakistan Contract Signing Ceremony of Pakistan Multi Mission Satellite Project” Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal witnessed the strategic contract signing ceremony of Pakistan Multi Mission Satellite Project at the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform. Minister Iqbal said that Pakistan highly values and appreciates the cooperation extended by our great friend China in the field of space technology. CPEC has already transformed the relationship between Pakistan and China into a strategic economic partnership. Addressing the media and the stakeholders, Minister Iqbal said that space technology is the future frontier of human race. Pakistan is committed to harness the new technologies for development of our country under Pakistan Vision 2025 to turn Pakistan into an innovation economy. He said that the partnership between Pakistan and China would help in bringing innovation in the country and would start a new engine of growth in dierent areas and sectors of our economy. Mission Satellite truly reflects the sincere eorts and Minister Ahsan Iqbal maintained that initiative of keen interest of current government to bring new Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite and Pakistan Multi technologies and applications in the country. 5 DEVELOPMENT INSIGHT CPEC Vision 2025 and Belt and Road Initiative Conference Under Development Communication project, an consistency of policy and clarity of vision. event on “CPEC: Vision2025 and Belt & Road Initiative” Minister Ahsan Iqbal lauded the successful policies of was organised in collaboration with NUML at Pakistan the incumbent government saying that Its a matter Planning and Management Institute. Federal Minister of pride that our government in 5 years is able to Ahsan Iqbal was the chief guest of the event who resolve major problems being faced by the country in addressed the significance of CPEC in the context of 2013-15, eradication of terrorism and energy crisis One Belt One Road Initiative! were two such major problems. He said in 2013, Discussing the development initiatives Minister Ahsan International Media painted Pakistan as the most Iqbal appreciated the students studying CPEC & BRI as dangerous country but with the successful policies of subjects. He said that development requires incumbent government, the world is recognising consistency and continuity of policies. Every Pakistan as an emerging economy today. successful reformer has brought reforms with DEVELOPMENT INSIGHT 6 Central Development Working Party approved 33 projects worth Rs. 50.5 billion Central Development Working Party approved 33 projects worth Rs. 50.5 billion out of which two projects worth Rs. 22.5 billion were recommended to the Executive Committee of National Economic Counsel. CDWP meeting was held under the chairmanship of Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Mr.Sartaj Aziz whereas Secretary Planning Commission Mr. Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui accompanied the deputy chairman. Senior oicials from federal and provincial governments participated in the meeting. The projects presented for approval include energy, health, education, manpower, governance, physical planning & housing, transport & communications, water resources and mass media. In addition, two position papers were presented in the meetings. Centre for Social Entrepreneurship and British Council sign letter of intent to enhance Cooperation A signing ceremony of Letter of Intent (LOI) between British Council, Pakistan and Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at Ministry of Planning Development and Reform was held at P- Block. The signing ceremony was attended by the delegation of British Council headed by Rosemary Hilhorst and oicers of the Centre for Social Entrepreneurship headed by Secretary